WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sunday, June 13, 1999) - Joe-Max Moore scored his 19th career international goal for the USA in the 88th minute and Kasey Keller had another highlight-reel match in goal this afternoon as the U.S. National Team defeated Argentina 1-0 in front of a festive, pro-American crowd of 40,199 at RFK Stadium. The win propels the team to a record of 4-1-1 in 1999, with the FIFA Confederations Cup the next scheduled event in July.

Moore's goal was the result of an exceptional sequence that began with Claudio Reyna, who slipped a pass to Ernie Stewart at the top of the penalty area. Stewart, who today earned his first National Team appearance under Bruce Arena, cleverly back-heeled the ball into the path of Moore, whose first-time shot from 15 yards found the upper left corner for the winner.

"It felt good to score such an important goal in a big game," said Moore. "But credit has to go to everyone on the field today. Kasey (Keller) in goal was excellent and Claudio (Reyna) made things happen all day for us. It was a great team victory."

The match opened with both teams attempting to establish possession. The best early chance belonged to Argentina in the 17th minute. Gustavo Lopez, who was sensational on the left flank throughout the match, ran onto a through ball inside the area, but a charging Keller dove bravely at the Argentine forward's feet to redirect the ball wide. It was the first of many exceptional saves for the U.S. 'keeper.

In the 40th minute, C.J. Brown was whistled for a foul inside the penalty area on Lopez, though replays showed that the foul actually occurred just outside the box. Keller, also making his first appearance under Arena, dove low to his left to smother the resulting penalty kick by Lopez.

After the break the game began to intensify, with both teams creating more and better scoring opportunities.

In the 63rd minute, Reyna sent a free kick from 35 yards out deep into the penalty area to Tony Sanneh. The 6-foot-2 Sanneh out-jumped defender Hugo Ibarra and lobbed a header over 'keeper German Burgos and off the crossbar from 16 yards. The ball was cleared out of danger.

Argentina countered with several good chances of their own, all of which were thwarted by Keller. The U.S. ?keeper made brilliant reflex saves on Ibarra in the 64th minute and stonewalled Christian Gonzalez three minutes later. Keller's individual performance brought back memories of the U.S. win over Brazil during the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup, when the native of Lacey, Wash., was superb against the another South American opponent.

"It just feels good to have won," said Keller. "The result is all that matters. We battled well and earned a nice win against a good opponent."

After losing the first four games of its all-time series with Argentina, the United States has now won two-in-a-row against the two-time World Cup champions. Prior to today, the U.S. handed Argentina a 3-0 loss during Copa America ?95 in Paysandu, Uruguay.

The next scheduled international competition for the U.S. National Team will be during the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup, which will run from July 23 - Aug. 4 in Mexico. The USA will play in Group B, and face New Zealand (July 24), Brazil (July 28) and Germany (July 30) at the Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara.

Prior to the Confederations Cup, the U.S. team will train in Denver from July 11-18 and play a match against English club Derby County on Tuesday, July 13 at Mile High Stadium. Kickoff for the match will be at 6 p.m. MT and be followed by the Colorado Rapids' third round U.S. Open Cup match.